Cheika rues Wallabies' 'basic set-piece errors'

Michael Cheika was left to rue "basic set-piece errors" as Australia let a 10-point lead slip in their exhilarating 23-23 Rugby Championship draw against South Africa.

The Wallabies responded well to conceding a Jesse Kriel try in the 25th minute as scores either side of the break from Kurtley Beale and Tatafu Polota-Nau helped the hosts into a 20-10 lead in Perth.

However, the momentum swung back in the Springboks' favour as Malcolm Marx's try and the boot of Elton Jantjies put South Africa back in front and in the hunt for a third win from as many matches in this year's tournament.

Bernard Foley's penalty ensured Australia at least did not lose the match, but head coach Cheika was frustrated at his side's inability to protect a healthy lead.

"I think we made too many basic sort of set-piece errors to build the pressure required to kill that game off," he told a post-match interview.

"We defended well. We stood a little too far from the half [back]. You get a few more metres and you're into [Reece] Hodge territory or you get the free-kick.

"We couldn't close out the key moments, which kept the opposition in the game and we ended up with a draw."